Caulfield, Randwick & Doomben Best Bets – Saturday, October 17

REGAL AMBITION (9) gives every indication that she’s going to love stepping up to a mile in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas.

The Team Hayes-trained filly overcame an awkward jump first-up on the Hillside track to find the line strongly and win the 1200m contest by three-quarters of a length.

Last start in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes over 1440m here, she again settled near the tail before rounding her rivals up in the straight and going on to win by a length.

She’ll strip fitter third-up and with a likely strong tempo, she’ll be able to rattle home hopefully over the top over them.

A heavy track looks like the main obstacle standing between KA YING RISING (1) and back-to-back Everest wins.

The world’s best horse arrived in Australia in ripping form, resuming with a 7.75-length win in the Chief Executive’s Cup and breaking his own track record by just under a second.

He should be able to cross and lead from the wide draw, with third or fourth looking the worst-case scenario.

Trainer David Hayes has no concerns about his champion handling a wet track. Ka Ying Rising has won 21 races in a row, so why should we doubt him?

If you’re happy to take the short price or include him in a multi, that’s an option. Another way to approach the race is to back JIMMYSSTAR (2) for a place. He loves getting his toe in and rarely runs a bad race.

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding finished third in The Everest last year and relished the addition of blinkers when winning the Manikato Stakes last start.

SKYHOOK (3) has returned in cracking form this preparation.

The Ryan and Alexiou-trained entire impressed first-up in the Theo Marks Stakes, finding the line strongly to win by 1.13 lengths.

He backed that up last start in the Shannon Stakes, leading all the way to score by 2.9 lengths.

He’s unbeaten in two starts on heavy tracks, including a 3.32-length win to finish last preparation in the Gunsynd Classic, where he overcame an outside barrier with ease.

Kerrin McEvoy can stalk Beiwacht and make his run late in the Silver Eagle.

ENFJAAR (7) earned his spot in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup with an impressive last start win in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood.

The Roger Varian-trained gelding raced keenly in front setting quite a decent speed. He was entitled to weaken at the end of the 2412m contest but found something when his rivals loomed at his girth to go clear and salute by 1.25 lengths.

He carried 58.5kg that day and now gets in tremendously well given his rating of 112 with just 54.5kg.

Ray Dawson was aboard last start and has made the trip to Melbourne to ride so while he is seeing Caulfield for the first time, he does have a good association with the horse.

Barrier 1 is a big plus and should see the Dawson drive forward and settle in a prominent position.

TEN DEEP (12) looked primed to run well fresh after two sharp trials, but she had a difficult task at Eagle Farm.

The Tony Gollan-trained mare was caught three-deep for the entire 1200m and finished seventh, beaten 3.56 lengths.

She should be better for the run and gets to a more suitable distance, with three of her five career wins coming over 1350m.

The inside barrier is a big improvement, and Emily Lang should be able to settle her on speed.

GOLDEN STRAAND (4) brings a fresh win to Doomben and looks well placed in this Open Handicap.

The Matthew Smith-trained entire resumed over 1100m at Randwick, found a split and surged through to win by a neck.

He’s since tuned up with a trial third, finishing close despite covering ground and being kept under double wraps.

He’s an emergency for The Everest Consolation, the race officially known as the Sydney Stakes, so this looks a very suitable option.

He’s unbeaten second-up and can keep that record intact with even luck.